ACC Power Rankings: Week 14

The State of the U proceeds with our weekly Atlantic Coast Conference power rankings. Who can prove to be a top tier team in a conference of evenly matched opponents that trade victories each year? Which teams are making strides towards the illustrious ACCCG? How many C's is too many C's? All these questions and more will be answered with our evaluation of the conference power rankings.

1^st - Florida St. Seminoles - 12-0 (ACC 8-0)

Previous: @ Florida Gators (4-8); Seminoles WIN 37-7

Next Opponent: December 7^th - 8:00 PM - ABC Broadcast - Dr. Pepper ACC Championship Game in Charlotte, North Carolina vs. Duke Blue Devils (10-2)

Bowl Projection: SB Nation - January 6^th BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena vs. Ohio St. Buckeyes (12-0); ESPN ACC - BCS National Championship

ACCCG Prediction: FSU 35-17

After a heated first quarter, Florida State opened the flood gates and made short work of the Gators to keep their National Title hopes alive. As I'm sure you all know, with the fall of Goliath to Auburn, Florida State's unblemished record has all but punched their ticket to Pasadena. This Saturday the Seminoles travel to Charlotte to face the Coastal Champion Duke Blue Devils in what will be Florida State's final challenge before ensuring the school's fourth appearance in the BCS Championship game.

2^nd - Clemson Tigers - 10-2 (ACC 7-1)

Previous: @ South Carolina Gamecocks (10-2); Tigers LOSS 31-17

Bowl Projection: SB Nation - January 3^rd Orange Bowl vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1); ESPN ACC - Orange Bowl

Disappointment. Shakin The Southland put it best. It's a frustration we all as fans must feel at some point.

"This is a National Championship team...at the doorstep of greatness." Those were the words screamed last year at the conclusion of the year. We took Coach Dabo at his word and decided last year that if the Sweatshirt thinks this program should be National Championship quality we should expect such and judge accordingly.

Don Munson--I know you are out there. Print this, Tweet this, and put it on Dabo's desk: THIS IS NOT A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM. Ten wins--including one win over a good Georgia team--is a good start but complete failures against Florida State and South Carolina make this season a disappointment given the self-imposed hype.

3^rd - Duke Blue Devils - 10-2 (ACC 6-2)

Previous: @ North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6); Blue Devils WIN 27-25

Next Opponent: December 7^th - 8:00 PM - ABC Broadcast - Dr. Pepper ACC Championship Game in Charlotte, North Carolina vs. Florida State Seminoles (12-0)

Bowl Projection: SB Nation - December 31^st Chick-fil-A Bowl vs. Texas A&M Aggies (8-4); ESPN ACC - December 28^th Russel Athletic Bowl

ACCCG Prediction: FSU 35-17

The Blue Devils are your ACC Coastal Champions. Duke's game against the Tar Heels was rough, and I'll save my bias inspired frustration for UNC, but as for now its celebration time for Cutcliffe and company. The Blue Devils clearly earned their place in Charlotte, and regardless of the outcome, this will be a year to be remembered in Durham. Onward to Charlotte, oh mighty Blue Devils.

4^th - Virginia Tech Hokies - 8-4 (ACC 5-3)

Previous: @ Virginia Cavaliers (2-10); Hokies WIN 16-6

Bowl Projection: SB Nation - December 31^st Sun Bowl vs. UCLA Bruins (9-3); ESPN ACC - Sun Bowl

You're an ugly team to watch, Hokies. I literally consumed pounds of leftovers and had no ambition whatsoever to leave the couch and you forced it upon me, against my will.

5^th - Miami Hurricanes - 9-3 (ACC 5-3)

Previous: @ Pittsburgh Panthers (6-6); Hurricanes WIN 41-31

Bowl Projection: SB Nation - December 28^th Russel Athletic Bowl vs. Louisville Cardinals (10-1); ESPN ACC - December 31^st Chick-fil-A Bowl

My reaction via Twitter to Miami's success against our old rival to the North. Of course, my reaction to Miami's never-ending struggle on defense has been excluded, as well as Pitt's longest run of the season. There's also reaction from @antonazucar as he filled in on the @StateoftheU account. We love you, Mark.

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN PITTSBURGH.

— Ricky Paolillo (@RCPcane) November 29, 2013

STRANGE THINGS: defense forcing punts, defense forcing a FG in the red zone, and Stemo making beautiful throws consistently.

— Ricky Paolillo (@RCPcane) November 29, 2013

Pitt just dropped another pass, an angel gets its wings

— SOTU writers (@TheStateOfTheU) November 29, 2013

MARK MAY BUTT HURT ENGAGED

— SOTU writers (@TheStateOfTheU) November 29, 2013

6^th - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - 7-5 (ACC 5-3)

Previous: vs. Georgia Bulldogs (8-4); Yellow Jackets LOSS 41-34 2-OT

Bowl Projection: SB Nation - December 30^th Music City Bowl vs. Ole Miss Rebels (7-5); ESPN ACC - Music City Bowl

OH MY. Paul Johnson you shifty devil. This Georgia Tech squad came out well prepared and fought hard in Atlanta this past Saturday. Disappointing they couldn't pull out the W, but you have to love the effort from the ACC underdog.

7^th - North Carolina Tar Heels - 6-6 (ACC 4-4)

Previous: vs. Duke Blue Devils (10-2); Tar Heels LOSS 27-25

Bowl Projection: SB Nation - January 1^st Heart of Dallas Bowl vs. Rice Owls (9-3); ESPN ACC - December 28^th Belk Bowl

HHHHHNNNNNNGGGGG. Senseless penalties, a breakdown on defense, another breakdown on defense, a complete lack of defense. This was the first time all year I've been grateful to have the Hurricanes defense.

8^th - Boston College Eagles - 7-5 (ACC 4-4)

Previous: @ Syracuse (6-6); Eagles LOSS 34-31

Bowl Projection: SB Nation - December 28^th Belk Bowl vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (9-2); ESPN ACC - December 31^st AdvoCare V100 Bowl

How nice of Boston College to give Syracuse a shot at participating in the bowl season this December.

9^th - Pittsburgh Panthers - 6-6 (ACC 3-5)

Previous: vs. Miami Hurricanes (9-3); Panthers LOSS 41-31

Bowl Projection: SB Nation - December 31^st Independence Bowl vs. Washington St. Cougars (6-6); ESPN ACC - At-Large (New Era Pinstripe, Little Caesars, and Poinsettia)

If Miami gave you a sense that you can now effectively run the ball, you're welcome. (Copy & paste to each opponent the ‘Canes have faced).

10^th - Syracuse Orange - 6-6 (ACC 4-4)

Previous: vs. Boston College (7-5); Orange WIN 34-31

Bowl Projection: SB Nation - December 26^th Little Caesars Bowl vs. Bowling Green Falcons (9-3); ESPN ACC - At-Large (New Era Pinstripe, Little Caesars, and Poinsettia)

It was tough sledding but Syracuse managed to reach bowl eligibility on a last minute field goal.

11^th - Wake Forest Demon Deacons - 4-8 (ACC 2-6)

Previous: @ Vanderbilt Commodores (8-4); Deacons LOSS 23-21

OH MY (again). The Demon Deacons weren't leaving 2013 without a fight. Though it's still a loss, the effort put forth by Wake Forest was truly unexpected.

12^th - Maryland Terrapins - 7-5 (ACC 3-5)

Previous: @ N.C. State (3-9); Terrapins WIN 41-21

Bowl Projection: SB Nation - December 27^th Military Bowl vs. Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders (8-4); ESPN ACC - Military Bowl

MEH.

13^th - N.C. State Wolfpack - 3-9 (ACC 0-8)

Previous: vs. Maryland Terrapins (7-5); Wolfpack LOSS 41-21

Sorry, Wolfpack.

14^th - Virginia Cavaliers - 2-10 (ACC 0-8)

Previous: vs. Virginia Tech (8-4); Cavaliers LOSS 16-6

Sentiments of Miami fans everywhere: It's a shame UNC lost but at least I don't have to watch this VT-UVA game. Better luck next year, Hoos.

Conference Notes:

ACC vs. SEC (3-5)

ACC vs. Big 10 (0-2)

ACC vs. Big 12 (1-0)

ACC vs. Pac-12 (0-2)

ACC vs. AAC (2-0)

ACC vs. Non-Conference Overall (41-15) Includes FCS*

For more highlight videos from the Atlantic Coast Conference, head over to the ACC Digital Network on YouTube.

For a complete list of the bowl projections included in this segment please visit Jason Kirk's SB Nation article 2013 Bowl Projections: Week 14 and Andrea Adelson's Week 14 Bowl Projections on ESPN.